Acne coming off BCP

Abs211981 · August 2013

I've been on BCP for the last 13 years and am getting ready to come off of it within the next few months so that DH and I can TTC. I've been on BCP for the entire 13 years except for 1 window of 5 months that occurred about 2 years ago. I didn't want to be taking hormones anymore and tried coming off only to have my face erupt like I have never seen before.

I've always had clear skin and it was so bad that several friends thought it was an allergic reaction or a rash. It was all over my face, my back, my neck, etc. My sister even mentioned she didn't even know acne could be so severe

I spoke to my regular doc and derm about it and they both suggested differin. When that didn't work after 5 months they both suggested going back on BCP. I went back on it because even all of my other efforts (eating clean, cutting out meat and dairy, different face washes, etc) wouldn't touch it.

Well if we TTC there is no going back on BCP to help clear up the acne. Did anyone else have this issue? Is there anything else out there OTHER than the typical suggestions of eating clean, cutting certain foods, etc to help with this?

I've heard of of taking vitex to try and balance out your hormones and didn't know if anyone had any experience with that.

HELP!! I'm terrified! I know it's so easy to say "but your baby will be so worth it", etc. I know that's true but it won't help when I have acne so bad I can't even look people in the face.

*Should also mention that it was low dose BCP and that during that 5 month period when I came off that my period was pretty regular.

evabear123 · August 2013

Hey, I started a similar thread on acne a few weeks ago. I'm like you, BCP is the only real solution for me, but I've been off it.for a year to try and get my cycles worked out, and have been battling acne ever since.
My biggest concern is that most effective treatments, I.e. Differin, benzoyl peroxide, etc should not be used in pregnancy.

Some of the ladies here confirmed what I suspected, those things are ok in washes but not creams. I keep my skin down to a dull roar using salicylic acid washes.

The other thing I found helps a little is eating less dairy and gluten. I also went to naturopath and she gave me some cream that helped.

All in all, it sucks, but the initial break out from coming off BCP eventually subsides and becomes more manageable!

Good luck.

evabear123 · August 2013

Sorry - I should have clarified, I know all the things I mentioned are things that didn't work for you, but my point was that it took a while for it to start working for me too,about 6 months, so as much as it sucks you might just have to give your body some adjustment time.

If you find a different solution, I'd certainly love to hear it!

littleboyermoose · August 2013

I was on bc for 10+ years and never had breakouts. After going off it in January I had pimples like I never had as a teenager! Redonkulus... But it seems to be better now; I only get breakouts during PMS time.

jenb_99 · August 2013

Yup, I get way worse breakouts off BCP. I've learned to keep it in check by cleansing thoroughly day and night, exfoliating hard-core twice a week (once with Mary Kay microdermabrasion scrub and once with Algenist microderm peel), I tone with a beta-and-alpha-hydroxy-acid toner, and I don't let anything touch my face if it contains cyclopentasiloxane, shea butter, or coconut oil. I spot treat with a blend of salicylic acid gel and tea tree oil, and once or twice a week I mix tea tree oil in with Queen Helene Mint Julep mud masque and leave it on for 10 minutes before I shower. If I have a really nasty breakout I use Rx clindamycin gel. I also drink a lot of water and rinse my face off anytime I get sweaty.

Do you watch YouTube? Josh Collier has a ton of great videos on taking care of acne-prone skin. He knows his stuff and he's adorable to watch.

LaDyBostonRN · August 2013

Have you ever tried Acanya? It's a mixture of Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide. I struggled with acne for years .. tried everything. So has DH (he was even on Acutane). This works for both of us.

kramja01 · August 2013

I also had a ton of acne coming of BC. It was almost all on my chin and jawline, though. My gyno thought it might be a symptom of PCOS, but my bloodwork just came back ok. I've just tried to be more vigilant cleansing, and not leaving makeup on too long. Good luck!

Abs211981 · August 2013

LaDyBostonRN said:

Have you ever tried Acanya? It's a mixture of Clindamycin and Benzoyl Peroxide. I struggled with acne for years .. tried everything. So has DH (he was even on Acutane). This works for both of us.

I haven't yet, but it's worth some thought. I don't really consider my skin sensitive, but I have an allergic reaction any time I use benzoyl peroxide. Even just a few hours after barely dabbing it on my skin turns bright red and burns. Even when I was the stuff off it still stays like that for a good 2 days. And it's so angry looking that no amount of makeup can cover it up. I even missed school bc of it before

Worth looking into though. Thanks!

Abs211981 · August 2013

I've done some additional research since posting this morning and I may wean myself off the pills. I read several articles that talked about going down by thirds...next month take 2/3 of each pill and then the month after that take 1/3. That would give my body time to adjust to the change in hormones and hopefully wouldn't result in such awful breakouts.

Obviously this would mean the birth control wouldn't be effective and I would have to use a backup method the whole time but it's worth a shot I guess. I called my ob/gyn and she said it should be fine.

BellaBoo0706 · August 2013

I had this same issue when I went off BCP several years ago. I was on it for 15 years or so. Nothing worked- cleansing, eating etc. My derm gave an antibiotic called Solodyn. It worked like a charm and cleared it up.

Abs211981 · August 2013

BellaBoo0706 said:

I had this same issue when I went off BCP several years ago. I was on it for 15 years or so. Nothing worked- cleansing, eating etc. My derm gave an antibiotic called Solodyn. It worked like a charm and cleared it up.

Can you take that while pregnant? I plant to come off the BCP and then give my body at least 6 months to balance back out. But then I want to get pregnant...

plantz1019 · August 2013

I had the same exact issue and was on bc for 13+ years. It's been a year and a half now and I'm all clear now. I went to a dermatologist and told him I needed something that would not be harmful during a pregnancy. He perscribed a cream and antibiotic cream from my chest and back. It was pricy and takes a long time to take into effect. I just recently stopped using it b/c my skin is a lot better and knock on wood it's been staying that way. I really think it is b/c you hormones are so out of wack you get these flare ups when you come of the pill. My obgyn said b/c I was on the pill for so long maybe I don't remember having bad skin when I was younger, lol ummmm I'm not that old and I would definitely remember a break out like this. But I'm much clearer now and only get a few bad pimples during Below is what I used and what I use now:

Before:

Cerave Face Wash

Finacea Gel

Erythromicin for chest and back

Garnier BB Creame for cover up

Now:

Cerave Face Wash

Cetaphil Lotion

Garnier BB Creame for cover up

KatD2011 · August 2013

I had it really bad when I cam off the pill. I also seem to get a chin-area breakout around o-time but it has gotten better.

MaviFairy · August 2013

Yeah, I even get backne now that I am off BCPs.

What is the real scoop on salicylic acid by the way? My favorite gel contains it but I read in Fit Pregnancy at the Dr's office that it was not okay to use during pregnancy.

GoodNews213 · August 2013

I had very clear skin while on BC. I stopped in Dec and my face and scalp have both been extremely oily and broken out. The only thing that helps a little are clay masques (Kiehl's has a great one). Otherwise, I am very bummed out - the worst side effect of no more BC - for sure!

BellaBoo0706 · August 2013

Abs211981 said:

BellaBoo0706 said:

I had this same issue when I went off BCP several years ago. I was on it for 15 years or so. Nothing worked- cleansing, eating etc. My derm gave an antibiotic called Solodyn. It worked like a charm and cleared it up.

Can you take that while pregnant? I plant to come off the BCP and then give my body at least 6 months to balance back out. But then I want to get pregnant...

No, you can't take it while pregnant. I was on it for about 3 months when I got off BCP. I found out I was pregnant with DS and stopped it immediately. I had no issues after stopping it. Once I was pregnant, my skin was great and was like it was on BCP. You might try an antibiotic to clear you up for a short while, just talk to your Dr. about TTC. Once you are pregnant, I don't think there are any you can take.

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